The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1887-09-24

MADOIlINE'S FATE.
By x.r.


A year passed, and nothing more
had been heard of Ronald. He had
fed, no one knew whittier, and Cuth-
bert Clyde gave up his search, consol-
ing himself with the thought that the
outlaw would not rest much longer
undiscovered.
Lucien dc Conrcy had been untiring
in his efforts TO win Madoline's love;
but he had been met always with the
same answer--gent!e and decisive.
~ can never care for you as you
wish All the love of my life is with
another; in thought ! can still be true
TO Finn
"But Madeline, You are sacrificing
yourself to mere shadow" he said
at last, when his patience began to
fail him. ..Do you imagine an adven-
turer, such as Ronald Castleton, would
return to place where he is known?
IL is time this wild dream came TO an
end. you are not likely ever 20 meet
your ideal again, and the sooner you
forget him the better IL will be for
your own happiness"
ut is too late 10 say this 70 me
now" she replied YEARLY. ale has
grown into my thoughts. These
months have passed like one long day
and night waking and sleeping, he
has lived in my mind. do not give
up hope of his return"
what nonsense, Madeline! You
ought 70 be able 20 understand by this
time that the fellow simply made use
of you, and dare say week after he
had forgotten all he owed you. lie
may even be dead--it is strange he has
nN been discovered"
Madeline shivered; but she was not
TO be reasoned from her own way OF
thinking. ~
"He said he would not come back
until he could bear his name with hon.
our. Something tells me be is not
dead--that he will return"
..All can say. then, isl hope he
WON'T I.ucien muttered with in
creasing impotence. ARGUE as you
will, You can't get from the fact of his
having acted in scoundrelly fashion
Madeline turned away, annoyed at
his persistent blame of Ronald.
let us cease speaking on this sub
iect," she said coldly. surely there are
other more agreeable topicsy Why do
YOU harp on this one thingw /.
He followed her 10 where she had
paused by an open window, and tried
10 look into her eyes.
"Why do / harp on this one thing.'
he repeated in a lower tone. THAT is
question you can answer yourself,
Madeline. You know | want you TO
be my wife, and the memory OF this
man alone stands between Us. Can
you wonder at my desire to east this
shadow out of your lifeY / have waited
patiently enough, but l cannot go on
like this for ever. / must rouse you
from this dream which makes you as
cruel TO yourself as you are TO me. l
must open your eyes to the sacrifice
you are making in vain-the sacrifice
that will darken all your future and
mine"
ut need not be So" she said, an
swering the thought of himself. 1--WE
are cousins; stranger would make
YOU better wifel Leave me TO myself,
and take another into your heart. |
should not rest there content, and i
shonld bring you pain and troubled
Bring me what you like" he ex-
claimed feryently. $50 that i have
you tor my own, what could hurt mes
Madeline, surely my love deserves
some return; what have / done 10 be
treated with such rigid coolnessy"
"What do you not dor she asked,
turning her great eyes full upon him.
"You make every moment you are
near me a torture--sometimes think
you will drive me mad. since | can
not love you. why viii you not leave
me in peacef'
"You can love me IL you WILL ne
urged, won 10 her the more by that
look Of pleading on her pale face.
Madeline, viii be your slave, my
life shall be one devotion 10 you; but
yon shall be my Wife"
III cannot. You must take those
words TO another"
What other?" he asked, throwing
back his head scornfully. mo Mado-
linei A man doesn't so easily give M
a hope that has grown with him from